Opinions on Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus

  • Thread starter Thread starter Econ
  • Start date Start date
E

Econ

Well-known member
I´m considering buying a Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus guitar, but need some information before making the purchase. Is there a particular year i should be looking for? I have no way to try the guitars, so I will have to rely on third party info. Do these guitars weight a lot? How is the playability? The Music Zoo has a bunch of these guitars with incredible tops, but i guess I could always buy used. What do you think? Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
 
Anything you're looking at that's 2006 to present is going to have a chambered body so they don't weigh as much as older ones.

You need to read up on the different neck shapes that were offered to what you like best. The 60's that the current ones have are the slim tapered ones.

Gibson tops can be very deceiving and look awesome under certain lighting like at the music zoo but in person they don't always look as great. I've had a few like that.

I have good days and bad days with my Standard Plus.
 
A chambered or weight relieved is going to be, in general, lighter, airier and more resonant with less sustain. I have a 2008 Standard that is chambered...it's a nice guitar, but it has a bit more of a 335 sound to it than a traditional LP does.
 
I learned my lesson a while ago and I want to say this in the most positive way I can... :)

There is NO substitute for playing before buying.

I've played at least 10 LP's of the exact model and year at a single setting and they all sounded and played differently from each other. Every guitar is put together with slight differences in woods, glues, hardware, finish and fit. All of which will determine how "good" the guitar is. If you add to that the differences in each of us as a player, our amp rigs and styles of music...buying a "one size fits all" is just not a reasonable approach." I would not dream of buying an expensive guitar without playing it first. :no:

Play before you pay. :)
 
I played probably 20 one so. Ended up with a AAA Fireburst that looks awesome. Stunning. Plays pretty good. It is popular to slag Gibson, but the new Plek'd necks seem much more consistent, the finish on mine is perfect. Sounds great, but as with all guitars I roll pups thru them eventually.

I have had 2 other 90's era standards and right now have an 81 solid LP Standard to compare to. The Gibby sticker pups are ok, but I like MCP a bit better.

I would say to play before you buy. It got down to just a better feel and fav flame in the burst.
 
Metlupass2":2sig2n87 said:
Anything you're looking at that's 2006 to present is going to have a chambered body so they don't weigh as much as older ones.

You need to read up on the different neck shapes that were offered to what you like best. The 60's that the current ones have are the slim tapered ones.

Gibson tops can be very deceiving and look awesome under certain lighting like at the music zoo but in person they don't always look as great. I've had a few like that.

I have good days and bad days with my Standard Plus.
Click to expand...

The new ones are not chambered. They have "modern" weight relief. Mine weighs 10lbs.
 
If you want one that's non-weight relieved the LP Traditional Plus is the one.
 
Wow!!! Reality check here with all the good advice. Thanks guys!!! You are absolutely right. Dropping that much coin without trying first is definitely not the way to go. I´m planning to be in New York in early June, so perhaps I would be able to swing by the Music Zoo to try some guitars.
 
Econ":26shqomv said:
Wow!!! Reality check here with all the good advice. Thanks guys!!! You are absolutely right. Dropping that much coin without trying first is definitely not the way to go. I´m planning to be in New York in early June, so perhaps I would be able to swing by the Music Zoo to try some guitars.
Click to expand...


Now, that is a smart move! :thumbsup:

When you get to the Music Zoo you may find a bunch of great LP's, but, one of them may speak to you over all the others...'that'll be "the" one! ;)
 
EyesOfTheSouth":1brjwepr said:
Metlupass2":1brjwepr said:
Anything you're looking at that's 2006 to present is going to have a chambered body so they don't weigh as much as older ones.

You need to read up on the different neck shapes that were offered to what you like best. The 60's that the current ones have are the slim tapered ones.

Gibson tops can be very deceiving and look awesome under certain lighting like at the music zoo but in person they don't always look as great. I've had a few like that.

I have good days and bad days with my Standard Plus.
Click to expand...

The new ones are not chambered. They have "modern" weight relief. Mine weighs 10lbs.
Click to expand...


My bad. I didn't know they switched back. The tops on the new 2012 Standards looked awesome to all the previous years except people were bitching that the boards weren't once piece.
 
Metlupass2":32p8c62s said:
EyesOfTheSouth":32p8c62s said:
Metlupass2":32p8c62s said:
Anything you're looking at that's 2006 to present is going to have a chambered body so they don't weigh as much as older ones.

You need to read up on the different neck shapes that were offered to what you like best. The 60's that the current ones have are the slim tapered ones.

Gibson tops can be very deceiving and look awesome under certain lighting like at the music zoo but in person they don't always look as great. I've had a few like that.

I have good days and bad days with my Standard Plus.
Click to expand...

The new ones are not chambered. They have "modern" weight relief. Mine weighs 10lbs.
Click to expand...


My bad. I didn't know they switched back. The tops on the new 2012 Standards looked awesome to all the previous years except people were bitching that the boards weren't once piece.
Click to expand...

Either way there are some great ones out there. My last two LP's had either chambering or weight relief. They both sounded great. I would let that issue dictate whether you buy the guitar. A good sounding and playing LP is a good and sounding playing Les Paul regardless if it's has some sort of weight relief. I think people make a way bigger deal out of this than it is. I actually like the traditional pros for the money.
 
Econ":1bf3yina said:
I´m planning to be in New York in early June, so perhaps I would be able to swing by the Music Zoo to try some guitars.
Click to expand...



If you will be in New York in June, just make a day of your LP shopping. I think if you plot it right, most of the larger stores are grouped within a couple of blocks of each other (48th Street area, although that may have changed in this economy!).

Play every LP that you can, and do not limit yourself to certain models.

When you go to NY in June, there WILL BE the perfect LP for you, you just have to find it !
 
Friends don't let friends buy guitars with baked maple fingerboards...
 
Ok...rewrite in order.

Friends don't let friends buy LES PAULS with baked maple fingerboards...

More better-er ?
 
I prefer the Traditionals as I like the 50's neck and and no PCB. The 2013's Trads are not weight relieved. I'm not certain on the 2013 Standards.
 
paulyc":po0pn64m said:
Ok...rewrite in order.

Friends don't let friends buy LES PAULS with baked maple fingerboards...

More better-er ?
Click to expand...
I would have agreed with that until I bought one of the blow-out Les Paul Specials from Sweetwater. The baked maple board is actually pretty nice...I'm digging the guitar overall.

That said, if I'm buying a higher end Les Paul I want rosewood...period.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top